The countdown to Christmas will officially start in the village tonight (Thursday, 19th November) with the Alderley Edge Christmas lights switch on.
Actor and singer Ashley Taylor Dawson, best known for his role as Darren Osborne in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks will switch the lights on assisted by the two winners of the school's poster competition: Olivia Lloyd-Jones from Year 6 at Alderley Edge Primary School, and Nicole Reeves from Year 6 at Alderley Edge School for Girls.
Ashley was born in Manchester but grew up in Wilmslow where he attended Ashdene Primary School and Altrincham Grammar School for Boys. He is the brother of singer and guitarist Catherine Taylor-Dawson.
The event promises lots of entertainment for all the family and London Road will be closed to traffic so the festivities can spread down the centre of the village on Thursday, 19th November.
This year marks the 13th anniversary of this popular community event which is organised by Alderley Edge traders, as a thank you to those who have supported them during the year.
Once again the event will have the added added attraction of a Christmas market, starting at 5pm, offering an opportunity to purchase some lovely gifts with 40 stallholders offering a selection of handmade jewellery, hand knitted items, handmade children's clothes and toys, home accessories and decorations, also cakes and pastries, truffles and mulled wine.
Additionally, new for this year, there will be Fancy Dress Dog Show held just outside Costa Coffee. The first class for Best Fancy Dressed Dog will take place at 5.30pm and the general class for Best Dog will follow at 6pm.
Cllr Christine Munro said "We are hoping for lots of entries and we have rosettes and a great prize for the overall winner."
A stage will be located on London Road, outside Nat West Bank, where the crowds will be entertained with live performances from a variety of acts starting at 6pm. Oliver Dunn and Lorna Bancroft will be on stage introducing the acts, including AESG saxophone group, Alderley & District Scout Band, Rokits, The Bennetts, Ryleys School Choir and Luis Sullivan.
Many of the shops will be staying open during the evening whilst bars and restaurants will be offering special Christmas treats, including mince pies, mulled wine and hot cider - along with the ever popular hog roast which will be for sale.
Much to the delight of everyone, Father Christmas will be making an appearance on his sleigh and the littles ones can also enjoy fairground rides, a snow globe and balloon modeller.
Mitch Gilbert, Chairman of AeTag said "The Alderley Edge Christmas Light Switch on Event now in its 13th Year was initially started by myself and the Alderley Traders Association, now known as AeTAG, as a way of saying thanks for supporting and shopping at our local shops, restaurants and businesses here in Alderley Edge.
"It has now evolved into a big community event each November, now incorporating the Christmas Market, and helping kick start the festive season. We sincerely hope that it is once again well supported this year."
The Alderley Edge Christmas lights will be switched on at approximately 7pm with the open mic performances, organised by The Yard, starting promptly after the lights go on and finishing at approximately 9.30pm. Performers will include Kimmy Beatbox, Tom Di Domenico, Max Culley, Catherine Taylor Dawson and Danny McCabe.
London Road will be closed to traffic between 4pm and 10pm on Thursday, 19th November, from its junction with Clifton Street to its junction with Chapel Road.
Some parking bays from outside the Alderley Bar and Grill to outside Grill on the Edge; from outside Gusto to outside Timpson; from outside TWP Wealth to outside Martins and from Stevens Street to Clifton Street will be suspended from 12:00 on Thursday, 19th November.
Image by Ian Smith - Flickr: Ashley Taylor Dawson used under CC BY-SA 2.0.
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